An initiative helping artisans and traditional craft organizations in Hoi An City, central Vietnam gain an online presence claimed an international prize for innovation, an official from the municipal administration said on Saturday.

The Kotler Awards 2024 ceremony took place in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday night, where the 'Hoi An - Craft Villages Go Digital' project was recognized as the winner in the 'Impactful Digital & Inno-tech' category.

The project, designed to connect artisans and support them in navigating online sales, began with a series of seminars, workshops, and consulting activities, with a view to revitalizing traditional craft villages by leveraging the growth of e-commerce.

Despite the sheer number of skilled artisans and a variety of unique products, many craft villages in Quang Nam Province, which houses Hoi An City, are struggling to survive because of their reliance on traditional selling practices.

Through the ‘Hoi An - Craft Villages Go Digital’ initiative, several marketing experts and consultants visited Hoi An-based craft villages and helped the craftsmen utilize technology to elevate handicraft value and reach the global market.

Hoi An City is home to some 50 traditional crafts and craft villages, with many of them being recognized as national intangible cultural heritage.

Local authorities are focusing on preserving and promoting these crafts and craft villages for tourism.

In particular, Hoi An is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of craft and folk arts, being honored in late October 2023.

The Kotler Awards, prestigious economic accolades founded by professor Philip Kotler, recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of marketing, innovation, and leadership in various industries.

This is the second time the Kotler Awards has been held in Vietnam.

The Southeast Asian nation hosted the awards for the first time in 2022.

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